Usability Engineering Assignment 2 Part 1 – Group Assignment ✓ Solved

Assignment 2 is about the design and implementation of Usability Testing. Part 1 - Test plan for larger user study [10%]. This document contains only Part 1 of Assignment 2. You must work in a group of 1 to 6 people. Only one submission should be made per group. Make sure that every group member’s name is on the submission, as well as the Tutor’s name and Prac time information.

Step 1: The website we will be working with is RMIT: Your team needs to identify at least five clear tasks which different users accessing the RMIT website could reasonably expect to conduct.

Step 2: Make a Test Plan. This test plan from Part 1 will be used in Assignment 2 Part 2. What to look for in creating the Test Plan includes documents and processes needed for the usability test and online templates and other test materials.

How to prepare a test plan:

  1. Gather information and identify tasks. Identify user profiles, market segments and aspects of the website that you will test.

  2. Screeners, tasks and scenarios: Use the user profiles to draft a screener/questionnaire to identify the right participant in your test. Define tasks that the users you recruit will perform.

  3. Prepare a script to be read by the facilitator to the participant, an observation sheet to note observations during the test, and a consent form to be signed by the participant.

  4. Do a run-through of the entire test to ensure that it will take no more than 45 minutes of the user’s time.

Task Checklist:

  • Do I have a good number of varied tasks? (3-5)

  • Is the task too easy for the user?

  • Is the task realistic?

  • Will the user I recruit be too familiar with the task?

The test plan should be submitted via Turnitin in Canvas. Any templates or information that you gather from other sources should be referenced in Section 8: Source documents.

The submission must include specific sections including Participant and Recruitment Summary, Facilitator script, Screener and Pre-test Questionnaire, Post-test Questionnaire, Consent form, User Task description, User Task Sheets, and Source documents.

Paper For Above Instructions

Usability testing is an essential component in evaluating the effectiveness and user-friendliness of websites. This paper presents a comprehensive test plan for RMIT's website, focusing on defining tasks that various users can undertake, necessary documentation for the usability test, and the structure of the test plan to facilitate insights into the website's functionality and user experience.

1. Participant and Recruitment Summary

The success of usability testing depends significantly on the selection of participants. It is recommended that participants be 18 years or older, reflecting the demographic that typically interacts with university websites. The recruitment process should target a diverse range of users, including current students from different faculties, prospective students, and staff members. This diversity will help to obtain varied perspectives on website usability.

2. Identifying User Tasks

For testing the RMIT website, the team will identify at least five clear tasks that users can reasonably expect to complete. These tasks might include:

  • Finding information about courses offered at RMIT.

  • Accessing details about campus facilities.

  • Searching for current student resources.

  • Locating contact information for academic advisors.

  • Submitting a query through the website’s contact form.

These tasks represent realistic interactions that users commonly undertake, ensuring the test's relevance and effectiveness.

3. Screener and Pre-test Questionnaire

The screener will consist of questions designed to identify the eligibility of participants based on their background, experience with university websites, and any prior familiarity with the RMIT website. Pre-test questions may include:

  • How often do you visit the RMIT website?

  • What specific information do you typically seek on educational websites?

This information will assist in tailoring the test tasks to match the participants' experiences and expectations.

4. Test Script and Observations

The facilitator’s script will include a welcome message, clarification that participants are being tested on the website and not their capabilities, and an outline of the test duration and tasks. The observation sheet will allow the facilitator to take notes during the tests, focusing on participants' interactions, challenges faced, and overall feedback. This data will be critical for analysis and subsequent improvements to the website.

5. Consent Form

The consent form will outline the purpose of the test, the expected duration, and data handling procedures. Participants will be informed of their right to withdraw and encouraged to ask questions throughout the process. Securing informed consent is crucial for ethical compliance in usability testing.

6. User Task Description

Each user task will include an objective, scenario, dependencies, and measurable success criteria. For instance, in finding course information, the user might be tasked with exploring the courses section and locating details about their chosen degree. Tasks will be structured to ensure they are relevant to the core functionalities of the RMIT website and are not trivial or overly simple.

7. User Task Sheets for Participants

Task sheets will be succinct, articulating user goals in straightforward language. For example, a task sheet for locating student resources may read: "Find the academic support services available to you." This clarity will help guide participants while ensuring that tasks remain focused on user objectives.

8. Source Documents

It is essential to document all sources used in preparing the usability test materials to maintain academic integrity and provide credit. This includes any online templates or resources utilized during the planning phase.

9. Checking and Finalizing the Test Plan

Before the test plan is finalized, a thorough review will be conducted to ensure that all components are present, that tasks are varied and realistic, and that the entire process can be completed within the allotted 45 minutes. A mock run-through will be performed to time the tasks effectively.

In conclusion, a well-structured usability test plan is critical for gathering actionable insights on the RMIT website’s effectiveness. By focusing on diverse user tasks, ethical participant engagement, and thorough documentation, this test plan aims to enhance the user experience for all individuals accessing the RMIT website.

References

  • Kuniavsky, M. (2012). Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research. Morgan Kaufmann.

  • Rubin, J., & Chisnell, D. (2008). Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests. Wiley.

  • Wixon, D., & Wilson, C. (2011). Field Observations and Usability Testing. In Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 323-347). CRC Press.

  • Nielsen, J. (1993). Usability Engineering. Academic Press.

  • Bevan, N. (2009). Usability Measurement in Context. In International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 25(6), 830-874.

  • Krug, S. (2014). Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability. New Riders.

  • Interacting with Computers. (2019). Guidelines for Usability Testing. Interacting with Computers, 31(1), 123-145.

  • Wroblewski, L. (2008). Mobile First. A Book Apart.

  • ISO 9241-11. (2018). Ergonomics of Human-System Interaction – Part 11: Usability: Definitions and Concepts.

  • Dumas, J. S., & Redish, J. C. (1999). A Practical Guide to Usability Testing. Intellect Books.